Christmas charity begins at home for Bridgewater couple

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Danny Wile puts some finishing touches on one of the thousands of decorations and 70 Christmas trees he and his wife have in their Bridgewater home. They're holding an open house and a fundraiser for the IWK Health Centre on Friday and Saturday. (BEVERLEY WARE / South Shore Bureau)

Danny Wile puts some finishing touches on one of the thousands of decorations and 70 Christmas trees he and his wife have in their Bridgewater home. They're holding an open house and a fundraiser for the IWK Health Centre on Friday and Saturday.

(BEVERLEY WARE / South Shore Bureau)

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This Christmas village is one of thousands of ornaments and decorations that adorn the home of Danny and Tina Wile. The Bridgewater couple are opening their home for tours again this year in an effort to raise money for the IWK Health Centre. (BEVERLEY WARE / South Shore Bureau)

This Christmas village is one of thousands of ornaments and decorations that adorn the home of Danny and Tina Wile. The Bridgewater couple are opening their home for tours again this year in an effort to raise money for the IWK Health Centre.

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A silver tree with black decorations and a black tree with silver decorations grace the Wiles' dining room.

(BEVERLEY WARE / South Shore Bureau)

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This glass teddy bear is one of dozens of hand blown glass ornaments on one of about 70 trees in the Wiles' home. (BEVERLEY WARE / South Shore Bureau)

This glass teddy bear is one of dozens of hand blown glass ornaments on one of about 70 trees in the Wiles' home.

(BEVERLEY WARE / South Shore Bureau)

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This nutcracker is one of dozens that cover one of 70 Christmas trees in the Wile home. (BEVERLEY WARE / South Shore Bureau)

This nutcracker is one of dozens that cover one of 70 Christmas trees in the Wile home.

(BEVERLEY WARE / South Shore Bureau)

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Christmas trees of all colours and sizes, including several that are hung upside down, adorn the Wiles' home in Bridgewater as they open their house this weekend to visitors in an effort to raise money for the IWK Health Centre. (BEVERLEY WARE / South Shore Bureau)

Christmas trees of all colours and sizes, including several that are hung upside down, adorn the Wiles' home in Bridgewater as they open their house this weekend to visitors in an effort to raise money for the IWK Health Centre.

(BEVERLEY WARE / South Shore Bureau)

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BRIDGEWATER – Mary Wile has had her fill of Christmas cookies, and she hasn't even eaten any yet.

The Bridgewater great-grandmother has made 1,400 cookies for her son's open house this weekend, an annual extravaganza to raise money for the IWK Health Centre.

There are dozens upon dozens of shortbreads, thimble and icebox cookies, but Wile hasn't sampled them. There's little need when people who tasted them at the Christmas open house last year are asking for her recipes.

Then there are the 30 litres of punch mix Danny Wile has ready, waiting for a good dousing of ginger ale, and about as much again of apple cider.

“It costs me a fair amount of money to do this but it's all for charity, so I don't mind,” he said.

Danny and his wife Tina Wile raised $2,450 last year when they opened their Phoenix Street home to more than 800 visitors who came from as far afield as Yarmouth, Truro and even Antigonish to tour their gloriously decorated home.

The couple began putting up the 70 Christmas trees in early September. They come in a variety colours, from teal and pink to silver and black, and are adorned with 30,000 ornaments and some 25,000 lights.

Then there are the beribboned garlands and the trees that hang upside down from the ceiling.

The Wiles' 127-year-old home, which is the former Lutheran parsonage, will also be decked out with about 90 Santas and around 100 nutcrackers.

It will be open from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, and from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday.

The Wiles will accept donations at the door for the IWK and tax receipts will be issued by the health centre for those who leave their name and address.

And in case you're wondering, yes – to the envy of all, Wile also has all his Christmas shopping done.